Signal lamp



April 7, l931- M. E. JoHNsoN u 1,800,078

r:SIGNAL LAMP Filed July 5, 1929 WWNESS: ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 7, 1931UNITED STATES MARK E. JOHNSON, 0F HABRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA SIGNAL LAMPApplication filed July 5, 1920. Serial No. 376,036.

The present invention relates to direction signals for automobiles, andcontemplates;` `a novel signal lamp construction adapted to be mountedupon the fender of the machine so that it can be viewed from either endthereof, the invention residing in the construction, combination andarrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this application like numerals ofreference indicate similar parts in the several views, and whereinFigure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the signal. y

Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view.

The lamp casing or body of the signal is indicated at 10, and while thelatter may be made from any suitable material and also vary in size andconfiguration without departing from the inventive idea, it ispreferably of cylindrical contour in cross section and open at bothends. The casing 10 is formed with an integral base 11 adapted to bemounted on some appropriate part of the vehicle, preferably the fenderindicated at 12 and secured thereto by means of suitable fastening bolts13. Each end of the casing 10 is provided with a lens 14 of hollowformation, and formed with a flange 15, while directly behind each lensis a reflector 16 also formed with a marginal ange 17. Interposedbetween the flanges of the lens and their refiector is a gasket 18,while arranged between the flange 17 of each reflector in the adjacentend of the casing 10 is a similar gasket 19.

These parts are all held associated by `means of a retaining ring 20which surrounds the casing 10 as illustrated, and which is also formedwith an inwardly directed flange 21` arranged directly in advance of theflange 15 forming part of the lens.

Interposed between the flange 15 ofV the lens and the inwardly directedflange ofthe retaining ring is a gasket 22. While the retaining ring 20may be held associated with the casing in any suitable manner, it ispreferably formed with a projection adapted to be received by a bayonetslot 23 formed in the casing 10. Each reflector 1G supports an` electriclight bulb 211. It is of course7 `to beunderstood that there is one ofthese `signal lamps mounted on eachffender of the vehicle, the frontlens being green in color, while the rear lens is red, thereby adaptingthesignal lamp as a direction signal for the movements of the vehicle aswell as permitting of its use in the capacity of a parking light orlamp. The signal lamps are, of course, operated in pairs at either' sideof the machine, to indicate when the driver of the latter intends to`turn to the right or to the left,` or to bring his machine to a stop,and consequently the lamps can thus be selectively illuminated in pairsby means of a suitable switch,.not herein illustrated.

Arranged within the lamp casing 1() and mounted upon the base 11 is ablock of insulating material indicated at 25, which supports thecontacts for the respective bulbs7 while depending from this block 25 isa sleeve 26 which passes thru a bore formed in the base 11. The contactsfor the respective bulbs are indicated `at 27 each being formed with anoffset extremity 28 which engages one end of the block 25, while passedthrough this block and connecting the offset extremities of saidcontacts is a pin 29, A signal conducting wire 30 is used, being passedthrough the sleeve 26and connected to one end of the pin 29 asillustrated If desired a suitable guard 31 may be arranged beneath thefender to protect the wire 3() .i

frombeing damaged by antiskid chains or the like.` i i y i As abovestated there is one ofthcse lamps arranged on each fender of themachine. and the lamps can be selectively illuminated in. pairs ateither side of the machine depending of course,` upon the direction tobe pursued by the machine. The current passing through the wire 30 tothe contact 27 through the pin 29, simultaneously illuminates both bulbsin each lamp, thereby giving a green signal at the forward end of thelamp and a red signal at the opposite end thereof. As above stated whenthe machine is at rest one of the signal lamps can u Sli * formingcasing,

be used as a parking lamp, and the electrical connections between thevarious lamps can be made 1n accordance with well known present daymethods.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description the nature andadvantages of the invention will be readily apparent, I desire to haveit understood that I do not limit myself to what is herein shown anddescribed, and that such changes may be resorted to when `desired asfall within the scope of what is claimed.

What I claim is Y l. AV signal of the character described comprising alamp casing open at one end,

and having a bayonet slot adjacent thereto,

said casing including an integral base there-v for, a lens forthecasing, a flange Jformed on the lens, a reflector arranged within thel casing and formed with a marginal flange, a gasket arranged betweenthe respective flanges, an additional gasket arranged between th'eflange of the reflector and thevadjacent end of the casing, Va llangedretaining ring for the endof the casing, and including a. projectionreceived by said slot for holding the reflector and lens associated withthe casing, a gasket arranged between the flange of theretaining ringand the flange of the lens, and an electric light bulb supported by thereflector.

2. A signalof the character described comprising a base, a cylindricallamp casing an integral part of the base and supported upon the latter,a lens for the a reflector arranged within the casing, an-electric lightbulb supported by the reflector, a block of insulating materialsupported upon theV base, a contact'carried by the block, and a'conducting wire passed through a bore in the base and terminallyconnected with the contact.

3. A signal of .the character described -comprising a base, a lampcasing forming an integral part ofthe base and supported 1 thereby,reflectors arranged within the casing, a lens foreach reflector, a blockof insulating material supported upon the base and located within thecasing, electric light bulbs for vthe reflectors, a pair ofv spacedcontacts .supported by the'block, a single transverse pin passed throughthe block and connecting said contacts', and. a conducting -wirepassedthrough a bore in the 'base and terminally connected withKV one end ofthe pin vfor the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I afilx my signature.` v MARK E. JOHNSON.

